CD Review: Switchfoot "Fading West"

San Diego’s reigning alternative pop outfit Switchfoot’s ninth album is full of power anthems and laid-back beach-inspired songs. Tim Foreman takes his usual role of sonic support, favoring simplistic lines on the first single, “Who We Are,” and much of the rest of the album. However, on the aptly titled song “Ba55,” Foreman pulls out a deviating, deep-pocketed riff that makes it one of the record’s best tracks.

For most bands, calling a five-song album an LP would be a stretch, but this Norwegian nine-piece experimental jazz/rock outfit takes listeners on quite a musical journey over the course of its seventh disc.

While the bass work of AFI’s Hunter Burgan has always been dark and moody to match the vibe of his hardcore/punk outfit’s sound, his playing on the band’s ninth studio album shows a previously undiscovered melodic side.

In surprising fans by releasing an unannounced, free album, Wilco dropped Star Wars, a 33-minute departure from the band’s usually laid-back indie sound in search of straightforward songwriting and subtle distortion.